Wheel contouring device



' July 8, 1952 E. c. OLIVER WHEEL CONTOURING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 21, 1946 INVENTOR y 3, 1952 E. c. OLIVER 2,602,438

WHEEL comouamg DEVICE Filed Sept. 21, 1946' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 09 C 0//' v87 244/? ATTORZEY Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED STATES v PATENT, OFFICE.

I V i 2,602,433 v WHEEL ooN'romuNG DEVICE Edd C. Oliver, Adrian, Micln; Genevieve R. Oliver,

executrix of said Edd C. Oliver, deceased, assignor to Genevieve R. Oliver, Adrian, Mich. Application September 21, 1946, Serial No. 698,453

especially to means for configurating an abrasive wheel especially usable for. imparting a predeterminediormation to objects. i

The invention has for an object the provision 8 Claims. (Cl. 12511) of means adapted .for engagement with a rotating wheel for impressing or imparting a predetermined form to the wheel whereby the latter may be utilized to impart a reciprocal configuration thereof into an article or object.

The invention embraces a means for contouring an areaof a'wheel froma pattern or template formed with the predetermined configuration whereby the shape of thetemplate'is reproduced inthe wheel by a'cutting instrumentality.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fixture applicable to a grinding machine for cutting .or impressing a predetermined. shape in an abrasive wheel, said fixture being adaptable for dressing the formed wheel to re-establish'the form initiallyimpartedtothe wheel. Y

' Another object of the invention residesin the. provision of a fixture. for contouring abrasive wheels and embodies a template having the for mation desired tobe cut or impressed into the wheel. the fixture incorporating a means of adjustment whereby the same may be moved toward the wheel, to compensate for wear thereof.

Another object resides in the provision oi a fixture jeguipped with a. cutting instrumentality for engagement with a :wheel to be formed, the fixture embodying template means of theshape to beimpressed' inthe wheel, the template bein of a larger size than the form to be impressed whereby a highfldegree ofaccuracy may be obtained for the formation in the wheel.

Still another object is the provision of a fixture for cuttingl'iorm conngurations into an abrasive wheel, the fixture. being arranged to'be readily 2 a of a grinding machine of my invention associated therewith;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the fixture and grinding machine table shown in Figlife 1;

stantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

, Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken sub stantially on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a topplan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating a 'typical formation impressed on the periphery of a grinding wheel;

Figure 7 is an end view showing, a form of Figure 9 is an elevational view illustrating, a

gage usable With an element of the apparatus of my invention for accurately positioning the wheel cutting instrumentality.

While I have illustrated a form of my invention as utilized for contouring or configurating anoperative portion of a grinding or abrasive wheel, it is to be understood that I contemplate the employment of my invention for contouring remoyable, from a table .or supportand which may I be quickly and easily replaced in Wheel dressing positionwithout readjustment of the fixture.

Further objects and advantages are withinthe scope of this invention such as relate to the are rangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details ofconstruction and to combination of parts, elementsqper se, and to economics of manufacture and'numer'ous other features as willbe apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention which may be preferred, in which;

; Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a portion head I! is providedwith a tang l9 and ways 20' I extending longitudinally of the member I1 and operations wherever the same may be found to have utility.

Referring to the drawings in detail, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 aportion of a grinding machineshowing the fixture .of my in:

vention associated therewith. The grinding maf chine is provided with a supporting frame or pedestal l0 within which isi'formed a cylinder (not shown), the latterslidably accommodating a vertically adjustable post or ram II for elevat-J' ing the grinding machine table or platen Id. The

upper portion of the post II, is provided with a tang l5 forming ways it slidably supporting an intermediate member or cross head ll. The cross at right angles to the direction of ways 16. The

table it is mounted directly upon the ways. 28 for slidable movement lengthwise of. the cross head I? while the latter may be moved crosswise in the direction of ways 16 to attain transverse adjustment of the table. I The adjustmentofthe cross head ll upon the post II and longitudinal movement of table [4, with respect to the cross head 17 are obtained by conventional hand wheel and lead screw means (not shown).

The arrangement of my invention for contourillustrating the apparatus Figure 3is a'vertical sectional view taken-subthere is ing or forming an area of an abrasive or grinding wheel is preferably adapted to be supported on the grinding machine table H! but it is to be understood that the arrangement of my invention may be mounted in other ways or upon other means without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 3 and l, a base plate or standard 25 of the fixture is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the table [4. The table I4 is formed with a longitudinally extending T-shaped recess or slot 23 adapted to accommodate lugs or keys 2'! which are mounted in suitable recesses 28 formed inthe slot 26, the bolts adapted to receive securingnuts 34.

Mounted upon the standard is a base mem-;

her or plate which forms a mounting to support the upwardly extending frame structure 36 of the fixture. The member 35; is formed with angularly disposed surfaces 31 forming ways to accommodate a lower portion 38 of the frame 35. Disposed between one of the angular surfaces 31 and the tang portion 38 of frame 36 is a gib 40. Mounted in threaded openings in member 35 is a plurality of adjusting screws 4i having their forward extremities engaging. gib 40. By manipulating the screws M the position of the gib 40 may be adjusted to provide for a smoothly operating slidable fit between tang 38 and member 35. Lock nuts 42 are provided to retain screws 4| in adjusted position. The adjacent surfaces of members 25 and 35 are formed with registering recesses adapted to receive and accommodate keys or blocks 65 for properly aligning frame 35 with the standard 25, the keys or blocks 45 being secured to member 25 by means of screws 46.

Means are provided for adjusting or moving the frame 36 with respect to the supporting frame member 35 for the purposes of moving a cutting instrumentality toward the rotatable grinding or abrasive wheel 41. To this end the portion 38 of frame 36 is bored and provided with threads 48, preferably of the so-called square type, as shown in Figure 3. Extending into the threaded bore is a shaft 5| provided with a threaded portion, 52 cooperating with the threads 48 in the member 38. Mounted upon one end of member 35 'is' a transversely extending bar 53 whichis helclin place'by means of screws 54. The bar 53 is provided withan opening through which extends a cylindrical portion 55 of member or shaft 5|, the shaft being provided with an integral flange or collar 56 which is received into a circular recess formed in the bar 53. Mounted upon the portion 55 is a knurled manipulating knob 51 secured to the portion 55 by means of a dowel 58. By rotating the knob 57, the frame 36 may be moved or adjusted longitudinally of the supporting plate 35.

The frame 36 is formed with a pair of upwardly extending strut-like portions 5| preferably integrally joined at their upper extremities by means of, a connecting portion or ledge 32. The portion 62 functions as a platform or mounting for a template 63. Different forms of template 63 may be employed as patterns for imparting various forms or configurations to the grinding or abrasive wheel 41. Means are provided for accurately regulating or positioning a template plate upon the platform 6'2 which is inclusive of a transversely extending key 64 adapted to be received into registering recesses or slots formed in both the template 63 and the support 62. This means provides against 'movement of the template in oned'irection. A dowel pin 65 is pressed into an opening formed in the platform 82 and template 63 is formed with a circular opening to receive the portion of the dowel E5 projecting above the platform 62. This arrangement provides against movement of the template longitudinally of the key 64; .The platform 52 is also formed with spaced threaded openings to receive threaded tenon portions 66 of knurled template securing screws 61, When it is desired to change tem- Q plates it is only necessary to remove the finger screws 61, aflix a different template on the platform 62 andreplace the screws 61. The operative or working .portion of the template in which is fashioned thepatternjor configuration desired to be imparted inthe wheel 41 is indicated at 68.,

It is to be noted that the pattern portion 68 of the template is made relatively thin so as to provide, as nearly as possible, a line contact with a template follower or stylus 1 I. Figure 5 illustrates a typical pattern. fashioned on a template 63, although it is to be understood that any congrinding wheelthe movement of the tool carrying element should take place about a relatively fixed axis. Infthe embodiment disclosed, the

cutting tool supporting element 12 is mounted for relatively slight movement during wheel contouring operations along the axis AA indicated in Figure 3, but the axial movement-of element 12 is very slight for most contouring operations so that the oscillation of the holder virtually takes place about a point.

It is to be understood that substantially accurate reproduction of the template may be formed in a wheel Without permitting axial movement to the tool carrying element but I have found that by providing for axial movement of said element or holder, faithful reproductions of the template pattern may be formed in the wheel. In my preferred embodiment the frame 36 is formed with a boss portion 14 provided with a cylindrical bore in which is snugly, yet slidably disposed a bushing-like member 15. The upper portion of the boss' 1 4 is formed with an inwardly extending flange 15 arranged to fit in an annular recess formed in the upper portion of the member 75. The member 15 is provided with a plurality of spaced sockets or wells 11 within which are disposed aplurality of expansive coil springs 18 and which abut the flange 16 and serve to resiliently urge the member 15 downwardly.

The holder 12 is formed at its lower portion with a'boss 89' which is provided with a tapered that the friction between the'surfaces retains the member 82 in the boss 88. Member 82 is 'movement of. the holder 12.

formed at its lowerrendi with a semi-spherically shaped formation 84: whichis adapted to engage in a semi-sphericallyshaped socket or recess formed in themember 1:5. Afrusto-conical opening' or chamber 86 communicateswith the semi-' spherical .recess'in member, the chamber 86 being of a dimension to accommodate oscillatory The member 82 is provided with a threaded portion 88 adapted. to receive a disc 89 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The disc 89'is formed with a peripheral channel or groove adapted to accommodate a resilient or elastic band 99 to which isi'connected an accordion type dust seal 9| fcrmedof several convolutions of flexible air imperviousimaterial. The flexible material 9| is secured to an annulusor ring 93, the latter resting upon the upper surface of the boss 74. The resiliency in the flexible material 9| is adequate to maintain contactof the annulus 93 with the boss .14 during relative movement of the holder 12 in order to maintain an effective seal between the annulus 93 and the boss 14.

The lower surface of the enlarged portion 84 of: member 82 is of an arcuate or convex formation 95,. the curvature thereof being generated about a point located on the line AA at the axis of the .cutting instrumentality I04. The portion 84 is held in the socket formed in member 15 by means ofa member 96 which extends within the cylindrical interior wall 9'! of member 75. Member 96 is formed with a peripheral flange 98 which extends into an annular recess formed in member 38, member 99 being secured to member 38 by means of screws.:99. In this manner'the center of the semi-spherically shaped portion 84 of member 82 will always be directed or guided. in movement along the axis A-A. Movement of the holder may take place in an upward direction as the coil springs 18 may be compressed to permit member 75 to move upwardly. This vertical movement of portion 84 and member 15 will occur during oscillatory movements of member 12 whenever the follower 1| moves out of the axis A--A during contouring operations.

The holder 12 is provided intermediate its .ends with a boss I02 which is bored to accommodate a cuttingdiamond supporting rod I93 which is provided at a tapered end with a'cutting diamond I04 or similar cutting instrumen tality. The, rod I03 is maintained in adjusted position in the holder 12 by means of a set screw I05. The cutting diamond 194 is adapted for engagement with the grinding wheel 4! for impressing or cutting a contour or pattern of tem plate 63 in the peripheral area of the grinding wheel-41.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention the template follower H is movably mounted so as to permit the straight edge 13' to maintain proper engagement of the follower H with the template 63. The follower H may however be fixedly secured in the holder '12 to secure satisfactory operation under most normal conditions. In order however to secure extremely accurate reproduction of thetemplate plate in the periphery of av grinding wheel, especially when impressing a pattern or contour in a wheel where the holder 12 moves through a substantial angle with respect to the vertical. axis AA, it is de-' sirable to provide a relatively movable follower H. To this end, the holder 12 is formed at its upper end with a boss portion l'fll within which is journaled an anti-friction bearing I08 prefer- 4 ably of the ball type as shown in Figure 3, which is held in place in holder 12 by means of a threaded retaining disc I09. By this arrangement of supporting the follower 'H'so asto be relatively movable with respect to the holder 12, the straight edge 73 of thefollower is permitted to remain in a substantially vertical position in engagement with the template 68 even though the holder" may be disposed at an angle with respect to the axis A-A.

Figure 6 illustrates, in plan view, a fragmentary portion of the abrasive or grinding wheel 41 showing a pattern formed in the periphery of the wheel. This pattern is also shown in plan View in Figure 5'as embodied in the template 68. It should be noted that the template pattern is doublethe size of the corresponding'shape impressed in the wheel 4?, as the ratio from the point of engagement of surface with member 96 to the cutting diamond IN is one half of the distance from the surface 95'to the point of engagement of the template 6% with the follower 1|. While I have illustrated the arrangement wherein thetemplate size is twice the size of the configuration in the wheel, it is to be understood that the pattern may be of a different size depending upon the proportionate distances of the cutting diamond H14 and the template 58 from the surface 95.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a form of skiving tool ||0 which is adapted to have its upper face or surface I formed with the shape of the grinding wheel through engagement of the skiving tool I H) with the wheel 41.

Figure 9 illustrates a form of gage for predetermining the proper position of the diamond cutting tool Hi l with respect to the straight edge 13 of the follower The gage H2 comprises a triangular base I Hi formed with an integral upright standard I I3 equipped with pad portions I I6 and l, the forward surfaces of which are aligned or lie in a plane passing through the axis 13-13. The pads H6 and II! are adapted to be engaged respectively by the straight edge '13 of template follower H and the diamond cutting point or tool I04. The base portion H4 is formed with a boss H: drilled to accommodate a tenon I I8 of a member I Hi, the latter being tapered to fit the tapered opening in the holder 12 normally accommodating member 8 When it is desired to set the diamond I94 in proper position, the holder 12 is removed from the tapered member 8| and the' holder placed over the tapered member ||9 mounted upon the base M. The straight edge 13 is then brought into engagement with the surface of pad H6 after which the rod |||3 carrying the diamond cutting point I M is moved until the point engages the surface of pad I ll. After this operation the set screw N15 is securely drawn'up to retain the rod H13 in its adjusted position. The holder 52 is then withdrawn from engagement with the 'rnember H9 and redispos'ed over the tapered member 3|. Contouring operations may be resumed, the operator oscillating'or moving the holder T2 50' as to bring the diamond HM into engagement with the area of the abrasive or grinding wheel M to be shaped or formed. The operator continuously oscillates the holder to various positions Wearing away the wheel ll under the cutting influence of the diamond IM, this action continuinguntilevery portion of the pattern formed on template 63 is engaged by the straight edge 73 of follower F When every portion of the template may be engaged by the straight edge 13 without further cutting action of the diamond I04 on the wheel 41, the contour or configuration to be cut or formed in the wheel has been completed.

The arrangement of my invention provides for a high degree of accuracy of reproduction of a template pattern on the abrasive or grinding wheel face as any angular movement or position of holder 12 during the contouring operations does not affect the accuracy of the reproduction in the grinding wheel as the straight edge 13 may remain in a vertical position and in proper engagement with the template 6B and the member 84 will move upwardly to compensate for angular positions of the holder 12.

Upon the completion of a contouring operation the table or platen I4 may be moved longitudinally in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figure 1, moving the contouring mechanism away from the abrasive wheel 41, at the. same time bringing the skiving tool H to be shaped by wheel 41 into engagement with the latter. In certain grinding operations it may be desirable to remove the contouring fixture and this may be accomplished by removing the bolts 60 which secure the portion to the plate 25 and permits quick removal of the standard or frame 36. When contouring operations are to be resumed on the wheel 41, the frame 36 may be replaced upon the plate 25 and the bolts 60 reinserted. The keys cooperating with recesses formed in member 35 serve to accurately reposition the frame with respect to the plate 25.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination, a frame; a holder mounted upon said frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; 2. template carried by the frame; a template follower supported by the holder;

said follower cooperating with the template for directing the movement of the cutting implement in accordance with the configuration of the template; a member carried by said holder having a convex surface generated as a portion of a sphere whose center lies on the axis of the operative portion of the cutting implement; an abutment on said frame adapted to be engaged by-the convex surface on said member, and means carried by the frame for retaining said convex surface in engagement with the abutment on said frame.

2. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination, a frame; a holder mounted upon said frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; a template carried by the frame; a template follower supported by the holder; said follower cooperating with the template for directing the movement of the cutting implement in accordance with the configuration of the template; a member associated with said holder having a convex surface generated as a portion of a sphere whose center lies on the axis of the operative portion of the cutting implement; said member having a semispherically shaped portion; a bushing element slidably arranged on said frame and surrounding said member; said bushing having an interior spherically-shaped recess adapted to accommodate the spherically-shaped portion of said member; and resilient means disposed between and engaging the frame and the bushing for urging the'latter into engagement with the semispherically shaped portion of said member.

3. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination; a frame; a holder mounted upon said frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; said cutting implement having an operative point for engagement with a wheel to be contoured; a template carried by said frame; a follower for said template including a member journaled for relative rotatable movement upon said holder; a member secured to said holder and having a semi-spherically shaped portion; said semi-spherically shaped portion being formed with a convex surface, the curvature of said convex surface being a portion of a sphere generated about the operative point of said cutting implement as a center; a bushing embracing the semi-spherically shaped portion of said member and slidably mounted in said frame; an abutment formed on said frame and having a uniplanar surface'arranged to be engaged by the convex surface on said member; resilient means engaging the frame and the bushing for urging said member in a direction to-engage said convex surface with the surface of said abutment, and a flexible sealing means arranged between and engaging said member and said frame.

4. An abrasive wheel contouring-device including in combination, a frame; a holder mounted upon said frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; a template carried by the frame; a template follower supported by the holder and arranged for relative rotary movement with respect thereto; said follower cooperating with the template for directing the movement of the cutting implement in accordance with the configuration of the template; a member associated with said holder having a convex surface generated as a portion of a sphere whose center lies on the axis of the operative portion of the cutting implement; a uniplanar surface on said frame engageable with the convex surface; said member having a semi-spherically shaped surface; a bushing element slidably supported'upon said frame and in engagement with said member; and resilient means engaging the frame and the bushing for urging the latter in a direction to maintain the convex surface in engagement with the uniplanar surface on said frame.

5. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination, a frame formed with a pair of spaced upright portions adapted to straddle an abrasive wheel; an implement holder; said holder being mounted on said frame for relative universal movement with respect thereto; a wheel cutting implement carried by the holder; a templet carried by the frame follower means carried by the holder and cooperating with the template for guiding the cutting implement into engagement with an abrasive wheel whereby the templet shape may be reproduced in the abrasive wheel; an abutment member carried by the frame; a second member connected with the holder; one of said members being formed with a partial spherically-shaped surface, the other of said members being formed with a uniplanar surface engageable with the spherically-shaped surface of said other member, a bushing surrounding the member connected with the holder,

and resilient means engaging the frame and bushing for maintaining said spherically-shaped and uniplanar surfaces in engaging relationship.

6. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination, a support; a frame element; means including a rotatable member connecting the support and frame element for adjusting the frame element with respect to the support; a holder element mounted upon said frame for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; a template carriedby one of said elements; follower means carried by the other of said elements 00- I ment of the holder element, and spring means engaging the bushing and frame element for normally urging the convex surface of said member in engagement with'the abutment.

7. An abrasive wheel contouring device including in combination, a base member; a frame element mounted upon the base member and relatively movable with respect thereto; means including a rotatable member connecting said base member and frame element'for adjusting the position of the frame element with respect to the base member; a holder element mounted upon said frame element for oscillatory movement with respect thereto; a cutting implement mounted upon the holder; a template carried by one of said elements; follower means carried by the other of said elements cooperating with the template for directing the movement of the cutting implement in accordance with the pattern of w 10 being arranged for slidable movement relative to said frame element to accommodate relative angular movement of the holder element, and spring means engaging the sleeve for normally urging the holder element toward its central position with respect to the frame element.

8. A fixture for contouring the peripheral area of an abrasive wheel including a support; a frame mounted upon said support; means including a rotatable member connecting the frame and support for adjusting the relative position of the frame with respect to the support; a template mounted upon the frame; an implement holder; said holder being mounted on said frame for limited universal movement with respect thereto; a stylus supported upon the holder and arranged for cooperation with the template; an abrasive wheel cutting implement carried by the holder; an abutment member carried by the frame; a second member secured to the holder; one of said members being formed with a partial spherically-shaped surface, the other of said members being formed with a uniplanar surface engageable with the spherically-shaped surface of said other member; a bushing surrounding the member secured to the holder; resilient means engaging the frame and bushing for maintaining a said spherically-shaped and uniplanar surfaces said template; a semi-spherically shaped member connected with said holder; means including a sleeve carried by said frame adapted to engage said semi-spherically shaped portion; said sleeve 7 file of this patent:

in engaging relationship; said template and stylus cooperating whereby the cutting implement may be caused to reproduce the pattern of the template in an abrasive wheel.

EDD C. OLIVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th UNITED STATES PATENTS Harper Aug. 24, 1948 

